Lone stars: Just two Americans set for Milano-Sanremo as Monument wait hits 22 years since Tyler Hamilton
Cycling
American cycling has kicked off 2025 on a high. Matteo Jorgenson’s impressive overall victory at Paris-Nice last week was a landmark moment, another major stage race win for a rising star, and a signal that American riders are capable of mixing it with the best on European roads. Even before his teammate Jonas Vingegaard abandoned, Jorgenson was looking like a serious contender for the win.
But when it comes to the year’s first Monument, the red, white, and blue will barely be visible. While countries like Belgium, France, Italy, and the Netherlands boast a strong and deep representation at Milano-Sanremo, the United States will have just two riders on the start list this Saturday.
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Nielson Powless, a regular presence in the spring classics, will line up for EF Education – EasyPost. He’s been a standout performer in recent years and is known for his aggression and willingness to take risks in long, tactical races.
Kevin Vermaerke, meanwhile, will represent Team Picnic PostNL. Still developing as a professional, his role will likely be more of support, but riding Milano-Sanremo is a significant milestone in itself.
Given the scale and history of the event, it’s an incredibly small American presence, especially when compared to the surge of homegrown talent emerging in recent years. While nations like Slovenia and Denmark continue to punch above their weight, the US is still waiting for consistent Monument success.
In fact, Tyler Hamilton’s solo victory at Liège–Bastogne–Liège in 2003 remains the only time an American rider has stood on the top step of a Monument podium. Since then, there have been near misses and several strong performances, but no one has matched that achievement.
As Jorgenson’s breakthrough shows, the talent is there. But at Milano-Sanremo this weekend, the American flag will be flying low. Can either of their two riders make a statement in Sanremo?
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- To be fair I think they have a point but especially so when consider its rarely done to grow cycking by being held in nations where there's high potential but a small scene (Like Israel with the Giro) but instead it goes to nations that have at least 1 major race already (Spain has many, UK has the Tour of Britian) so I understand the frustration there because I'd rather ride the tour of france in France than start in a country which gonna race anyway but if they did it every other year and in a nation that riders may not race in otherwise and that could benifit from having such a race come by and inspire a generation.HoopoeChai25-03-2025
- Roubaix, sure. Flanders, I don't see itvappaxbipmv25-03-2025
- I hope so, come on Wout! back to your best days!
maria2024202425-03-2025 - Hahaha! The only thing WVA can take on is a mean mug for being a sore loser. Not a chance for him. Pogi is a real top class rider. He lost and got third, yet his good humor and respect for MVDP is a sign of a humble champion. WVA is a great rider but has no class.Onepiece25-03-2025
- Door 1: get past this mentally and race again Door 2: retirementb3tlla25-03-2025
- a concussion is a serious deal and I wish him well, but really he seems so fragile mentally and physically for a great champion. he won the tour 2 x which is insane, but he faced no adversity. he is crumbling with some tough times.mij25-03-2025
- Wow ! Why was he allowed to finish that stage? Where was the concussion protocol?frieders325-03-2025
- You know, all his critics would be the first to complain about the Tour if he retired.Mistermaumau24-03-2025
- Fine by me, was just trying to understand why you felt Tadej’s and MVDP’s 2 per year was more interesting than 3 and 1 or with the others thrown in the mix. Up to now results of the two eras are not very different but it may have been more interesting to compare the number of races where both actually CONFRONTED each other. I’m pretty sure TP and MVDP don’t have a hope in hell of offering nearly as much rivalry, many years the other 2 did 2 or 3 monuments together, in 1975 they even both did all 5! And that’s without counting classics. Compared to that it sure looks as if today’s riders try to avoid the others. You’re right to spend your time otherwise if you prefer I enjoy learning stuff from people with their personal view, whether I agree or not, debate is a great tool for that but obviously no longer fashionable in the age of Twitter where stating is more important than reasoning. Enjoy the racing/your rides, whatever.Mistermaumau24-03-2025
- Thanks, I will go look for itJumpyjohn24-03-2025